Sabotage against Russia will not cease as long as Pashinyan remains in power – Viktor Baranets

Speaking with Alpha News, military observer Viktor Baranets commented on the negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steven Witkoff, as well as the possible impact of their talks on the South Caucasus region.

“Many issues will be settled, but it is possible that a third of the questions will remain for a personal meeting between Putin and Trump. About 25-30 percent are those issues on which we will never concede and which Ukrainians together with Europe want to impose on us. I believe that on these matters Putin will not retreat by a single millimeter,” Baranets said.

The expert sees in the current course of Armenia’s leadership a lack of commitment to a common approach in military-political cooperation, but believes that the pro-Russian orientation of official Yerevan will eventually prevail, though under certain conditions.

“As for the South Caucasus and especially Armenia, there is one feature that distinguishes Armenia from Ukraine by only one obvious fact: it is a former—let me repeat, may Armenia not take offense—a former member of the CSTO. In essence, I will say directly, a fake member of the CSTO—that’s one. Second, Armenia is not nearby, not a border state, so I think NATO-related issues will be addressed in a different context. I believe that as long as Pashinyan remains, sabotage against Russia and a drift away from Russia will continue. We will, without doubt, be constantly provoked with talk of NATO membership. Sooner or later Armenia will come back to Russia—that is inevitable. But for this, another leader and another part of Armenian society must emerge, those who lean toward Russia and have historically leaned toward Russia,” he said.

According to the expert, after the Ukrainian issue is settled, Armenia’s turn will come.

“When Putin, Witkoff, and Trump more or less resolve the Ukrainian issues—and I believe they will take a very long time—then it will be Armenia’s turn, and Russia will act according to the situation,” Baranets concluded.